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Hurricane Irma: eye of the storm reaches Florida Keys as residents told to 'hunker down'– live Florida awaits full impact of Irma as storm makes landfall – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
1.47pm BST
13:47
Wind speeds on land are increasing, reports meteorologist Adam Berg:
Recent 91mph wind gust at #KeyWest to go along with 71 mph at #MIA and #FortLauderale (FXE) @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/tzydnD9Giv
1.14pm BST
13:14
This is another spectacular video from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Time-lapse video of daybreak in Fort Lauderdale, September 10, 2017.Live stream: https://t.co/31Z0QwOrbs#irma Courtesy: Phillip Shaver. pic.twitter.com/vJVcQGLEtf
1.09pm BST1.09pm BST
13:0913:09
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government - defended earlier by defence secretary Michael Fallon - to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma.The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government - defended earlier by defence secretary Michael Fallon - to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma.
David Burt, UKOTA president and premier of Bermuda, said:David Burt, UKOTA president and premier of Bermuda, said:
There is an urgent need for health and social welfare support which must be met now. We welcome the commitment from the UK government in providing some immediate resources to British Nationals within the Caribbean, while questioning the adequacy of its response in other areas such as a regional reconstruction fund, and the two-week wait for the arrival of HMS Ocean.There is an urgent need for health and social welfare support which must be met now. We welcome the commitment from the UK government in providing some immediate resources to British Nationals within the Caribbean, while questioning the adequacy of its response in other areas such as a regional reconstruction fund, and the two-week wait for the arrival of HMS Ocean.
We note that the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Select Committees have raised these issues in terms as well. The overseas territories are diverse in our constitutions, populations and economic sustainability, encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, and most remote islands in the South Atlantic. We therefore call upon the UK government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the overseas territories.We note that the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Select Committees have raised these issues in terms as well. The overseas territories are diverse in our constitutions, populations and economic sustainability, encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, and most remote islands in the South Atlantic. We therefore call upon the UK government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the overseas territories.
1.04pm BST1.04pm BST
13:0413:04
This is what Key West looks like now:This is what Key West looks like now:
Eyewall and Storm Surge !! #HurricaneIrma #KeyWest pic.twitter.com/jI9kItZWqJEyewall and Storm Surge !! #HurricaneIrma #KeyWest pic.twitter.com/jI9kItZWqJ
12.53pm BST12.53pm BST
12:5312:53
The warning from the National Weather Service Key West spells out the situation for people in the Florida Keys in stark terms:The warning from the National Weather Service Key West spells out the situation for people in the Florida Keys in stark terms:
If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter. Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover.If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter. Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover.
12.44pm BST12.44pm BST
12:4412:44
The power of Irma is captured in this video just posted on Twitter by Simon Brewer, who describes himself, among other things, as an “extreme weather journalist”:The power of Irma is captured in this video just posted on Twitter by Simon Brewer, who describes himself, among other things, as an “extreme weather journalist”:
Just getting more windy... @JustonStrmRider pic.twitter.com/EvdeXKJCMJJust getting more windy... @JustonStrmRider pic.twitter.com/EvdeXKJCMJ
12.13pm BST12.13pm BST
12:1312:13
This video was taken in the last few minutes by a Miami Herald reporter in Key West:This video was taken in the last few minutes by a Miami Herald reporter in Key West:
Hurricane Irma arriving soon in Key West #mh https://t.co/Za2n0i7aO9Hurricane Irma arriving soon in Key West #mh https://t.co/Za2n0i7aO9
12.06pm BST12.06pm BST
12:0612:06
The eye of the hurricane has reached the lower Florida Keys and moves ever closer to Key West:The eye of the hurricane has reached the lower Florida Keys and moves ever closer to Key West:
NORTHERN EYEWALL OF HURRICANE #IRMA REACHES THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS. EYE IS 15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY WEST. https://t.co/pyUyGir4z6NORTHERN EYEWALL OF HURRICANE #IRMA REACHES THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS. EYE IS 15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY WEST. https://t.co/pyUyGir4z6
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.11pm BSTat 12.11pm BST
12.05pm BST12.05pm BST
12:0512:05
The mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine, told CBS News This Morning the shift west of Hurricane Irma would spare Miami “the big brunt of it” but added:The mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine, told CBS News This Morning the shift west of Hurricane Irma would spare Miami “the big brunt of it” but added:
The storm is so massive, it’s so huge it doesn’t make a difference if the actual core/centre doesn’t go over Miami, Miami Beach. We are still receiving and going to be receiving hurricane force winds and of course we are very concerned about the tidal surges.The storm is so massive, it’s so huge it doesn’t make a difference if the actual core/centre doesn’t go over Miami, Miami Beach. We are still receiving and going to be receiving hurricane force winds and of course we are very concerned about the tidal surges.
11.59am BST11.59am BST
11:5911:59
This is what Hurricane Irma looked like on the radar a few minutes ago:This is what Hurricane Irma looked like on the radar a few minutes ago:
6:44 AM Radar loop shows eyewall of #HurricaneIrma moving into lower Keys. Strong rainbands continue to batter South #Florida. pic.twitter.com/Vh26fdASNb6:44 AM Radar loop shows eyewall of #HurricaneIrma moving into lower Keys. Strong rainbands continue to batter South #Florida. pic.twitter.com/Vh26fdASNb
11.49am BST11.49am BST
11:4911:49
This is the latest tornado warning from the National Weather Service:This is the latest tornado warning from the National Weather Service:
Tornado Warning continues for Wellington FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Loxahatchee Groves FL until 7:00 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/JTeqr5bbgQTornado Warning continues for Wellington FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Loxahatchee Groves FL until 7:00 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/JTeqr5bbgQ
11.17am BST
11:17
More than four million children are currently in Hurricane Irma’s path throughout Florida, with millions more at risk in the southeastern United States, according to Save the Children, which has urged action to address climate change in order to prevent the frequency of such storms.
Carolyn Miles, president and chief executive of Save the Children in the United States, said:
There are a multitude of risks to children during storms such as Irma—including storm damage, the chance of separation from parents and the psychological impacts of natural disaster.
We urge parents to do everything they can to help keep their children safe and out of harm’s way, including talking to their children about the storm, filling out an In Case of Emergency card and evacuating to shelters or safer areas when told to do so by authorities.
The charity has delivered kits to establish child-friendly areas within shelters, so that children have space to psychologically recover from their ordeal through play. In addition, baby and toddler items such as flat-pack cribs, strollers, baby wash basins and infant hygiene supplies will be available to help families who had to evacuate without much-needed items for their children.
Save the Children’s emergency health unit - a surge team of nurses and doctors deployed to the heart of disasters in their critical first stages - is on standby in the Caribbean to help victims of the storm.
Its director, Unni Krishnan, said:
As a humanitarian agency, Save the Children’s priority in the next few days will be to get life-saving aid to areas worst affected by Hurricane Irma, and reach children stranded in remote pockets. But the best way to beat a hurricane is to stop it from happening - and addressing climate change is a key step in reducing the frequency – and ferocity – of storms in the future.
Investing in disaster risk reduction and bolstering the resilience of communities are crucial to break the cycle of disasters and miseries they bring.
11.03am BST
11:03
This video shows the impact of Irma on Miami Beach even before the eye of the hurricane has reached landfall:
This is what #MiamiBeach looked like Saturday night as the strong outer bands from #HurricaneIrma moved onshore pic.twitter.com/fX3B8axNwd
10.40am BST
10:40
Meteorologist Jim Cantore points out that Hurricane Donna landed in Key West on the same date 57 years ago:
For 1st time: looking at 2 consecutive Cat 4 landfalls in USA. #irma will put the worst hit on Keys since Donna in 1960 on same date 10Sept pic.twitter.com/qcbWujy4xC
Updated
at 12.47pm BST
10.15am BST
10:15
The National Hurricane Center says that Hurricane Irma is about 40 miles (65km) south to south-east of Key West with the maximum sustained winds still at 130mph (210kph).
9.38am BST
09:38
This is the advice issued by the National Weather Service in Key West:
***EVERYONE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS******IT IS TIME TO HUNKER DOWN******THE WORST WINDS ARE YET TO COME***#Irma #FLkeys #flwx pic.twitter.com/lmHTcRv68l
9.28am BST
09:28
The UK’s defence secretary has defended the response by the UK to Hurricane Irma amid allegations that it has not been as effective in helping its territories as the likes of France and Holland.
Michael Fallon, told BBC One’s Andrew Marr show that the UK response, which he is responsible for, had been “as good as [that of] anyone else”. He also claimed that France has asked the UK for assistance. He said:
We weren’t late, we pre-positioned a ship in the Caribbean for the hurricane season. It wasn’t by chance that Mounts Bay, a huge 16,000 tonne aid ship with marines, with helicopter, with palettes of aid was in the Caribbean. She’s already been helping Anguilla, she’s already moved on to help the British Virgin Islands and it wasn’t until Thursday when we were clear about where most help was needed and we were clear which airfields were useable.
Then we started the airlifts - three flights went in on Friday, two went in yesterday, three more are going in today. We are putting in troops, we’re putting in additional helicopters and palettes of aid, backed up by police, medics and engineers.
Fallon said there were police officers and 120 British troops on the British Virgin Islands where there has been looting.
9.07am BST
09:07
In just four hours, the rainfall record for Fort Pierce, Florida, for this date has been broken, according to the National Weather Service.
4am | The sun hasn't even risen, & Ft Pierce has already broken their previous rainfall record for today (1.63"); measuring 3.93" as of now!
9.02am BST
09:02
These videos show the scene in Miami:
Boats are breaking from their anchors in the bay behind Miami's Parrot Jungle. Seeing many come ashore - bad damage. @wsvn #HurrcaneIrma pic.twitter.com/15O7ZNE4rf
Minutes ago: Another band of heavy wind & rain blowing in from #HurricaneIrma in Miami. LIVE coverage: https://t.co/9W5mkpCWGZ @NBC6 pic.twitter.com/WOK7G23msV
8.52am BST
08:52
Tornado warning issued for Florida
Warnings have been issued of the risk of tornadoes across Florida tonight.
A tornado risk through tonight for #FL. Isolated tornadoes are common with Hurricanes. Greatest threat exists east of the storm's path #flwx pic.twitter.com/MXGpYvXBXW
Hurricane Irma is expected to reach Key West within the next couple of hours.
Hurricane #Irma 3 AM EDT position update from @NHC_Atlantic. Sustained hurricane-force winds expected to reach #FLKeys within 1-2 hours. pic.twitter.com/jQmRQJ2oMJ
8.37am BST
08:37
Helena Smith
The mayor of Tarpon Springs, in Pinellas County, Chris Alakouzos, which has the highest concentration of Greeks of any city in the US, has has been called by the president of Greece as Florida braces for Hurricane Irma.
Greece’s head of state Prokopis Pavlopoulos told the mayor that the nation’s thoughts were with the people of Tarpon Springs.
Speaking to Greece’s state-run TV, ERT, Alakouzos said most citizens “had wanted to leave for other states like New York, New Jersey,” after he called a mandatory state of emergency on Saturday. Around 60% of Tarpon Spring’s 25,000 strong population live along its shores.
Traditionally a sponge diving community, Tarpon Springs was first populated by immigrants from the Greek Dodecannese islands including the Greek-born mayor who moved to Florida with his sponge diver father from Kalymnos island at the age of 14.
A statement from Greece’s presidential palace said the country’s head of state would be in “constant contact” and wished the community strength during the ordeal that lay ahead.
Updated
at 8.46am BST